Time for the Federal Government to back Sydney Metro West

07 Mar 2019

New research shows strong community support

The Sydney Olympic Park Business Association and the Western Sydney Business Chamber have today called on the Federal Government to back its state counterparts and commit to funding Sydney Metro West (Metro West).

In welcoming the NSW Government’s recently announced commitment of $6.4 billion towards Metro West, Western Sydney Business Chamber Executive Director David Borger warned significant federal investment was still required.

“The benefits of Metro West will flow through the Australian economy for generations. The Federal Opposition has pledged $3 billion to the project, but frankly, this isn’t enough. The Commonwealth should be providing at least 25% of the total project cost, or about $5 billion.

“Sydney Metro West is a city-shaping project that will transform Sydney’s “Central City” in the same way the planned Aerotropolis is expected to transform Greater Western Sydney – but it first requires the same level of support from the Federal Government,” Mr Borger said.

“The State Government, State Opposition and Federal Opposition have all shown their commitment to Metro West, now it’s time for the Federal Government to stand up and back it in.”

With bipartisan support at a state level, and the overwhelming backing of the community and private sector, supporting Metro West should be a no-brainer for the Coalition Government.”

This position is backed up by a new research report commissioned by the Western Sydney Business Chamber and the Sydney Olympic Park Business Association that found three quarters (73%) of Sydney residents want the Government and the Opposition to immediately commit to and fund the construction of the Metro West Rail Project to ensure that it will be operational by 2028.

The research shows there is very strong community backing for Sydney Olympic Park public transport links generally, which were seen as the “game changer” to enable the precinct to finally live up to its potential.

Other key findings of the research included:
• 71% of Sydneysiders agree the government should extend Sydney Metro West from Parramatta to the planned Western Sydney Airport
• 67% support a new connection off the WestConnex (M4) to improve traffic into the precinct (7% oppose)
• 72% of Sydneysiders feel positively towards Sydney Olympic Park (5% negative)
• 69% support a new town centre at Sydney Olympic Park
• 56% support the proposal for more than 10,000 new homes and 25,000 residents (18% oppose)

“The Parramatta Light Rail project that would link Parramatta, Westmead, Carlingford and Sydney Olympic Park to the Metro was also supported by 74% of Sydneysiders,” Mr Borger said.

“This research shows that both sides of politics should feel confident the community will back them in to doing this right.”

Sydney Olympic Park Business Association (SOPBA) Chief Executive Allison Taylor said the importance of the Metro West project could not be overstated.

“There is an urgency to this, Metro West needs to be fully funded and built as soon as possible.”

“It will shape the economic geography of Sydney. Not only will Metro West allow workers to easily access jobs in both the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs but it is the SOPBA’s view that provisions must also be made to cater for an extension of Metro West to the new Aerotropolis at Western Sydney Airport, creating a game-changing link across the city.”

Kylie Adoranti

Public Affairs Manager

Kylie handles media relations for the Sydney Business Chamber and the Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney. With a keen interest in politics and communications coupled with her background in journalism, Kylie aims to strengthen relationships with journalists and to expand the awareness of the Chamber's priorities and projects.